And now away with those notebooks, boys.

Your health.’

‘Mr Vantoch, we’ve come specially to seek you out, so you could tell us something about your life.’

‘But why?’

‘To write about it. People are interested in that sort of thing; they like reading about faraway islands, and about what a fellow-countryman of theirs, a Czech born in jevíčko, has seen and experienced in foreign parts.’

The captain nodded his head. ‘That’s true enough. D’you know, I am the only sea captain in the whole of Jevicko. That’s a fact. I’m told there’s also a Jevicko-born captain in charge of … of … of boat swings, but,’ he added confidentially, ‘I don’t believe he’s a real captain. That goes by the tonnage, did you know?’

‘And what tonnage was your ship?’

‘Twelve thousand tons, young man.’

‘So you were quite a big captain, what?’

‘Sure. A big captain,’ the captain said with dignity. ‘Got any money, boys?’

The two gentlemen looked at each other a little uncertainly. ‘Yes, but not a lot. You in need of money, captain?’

‘Yes. I could do with some.’

‘Well then. You tell us a nice lot and we’ll write it up for the paper and then you’ll get some money for it.’

‘How much?’

‘Could be as much as … a thousand or so,’ Mr Golombek said generously.

‘Pounds sterling?’

‘No, only Czech Crowns.’

Captain van Toch shook his head. ‘That’s no use. That much I’ve got myself, young man.’ He fished out a fat bundle of bank-notes from his trouser pocket. ‘See?’ Then he planted his elbows on the table and leaned across to the two gentlemen. ‘Gentlemen, I could let you in on a big Geschäft. How d’you say that?’

‘A big deal.’

‘Sure. A big deal. But for that you’d have to give me fifteen … wait a minute, fifteen, sixteen million Crowns. How about it?’

Again the two gentlemen looked at each other uncertainly. Every journalist has had his experience of the oddest kind of lunatic, con man and inventor.

‘Hold it,’ said the captain. ‘Got something to show you.’ He fished with his fat fingers in his waistcoat pocket, pulled something out and placed it on the table. There were five pale pink pearls the size of cherry stones. ‘Know anything about pearls?’

‘How much are they worth?’ Mr Valenta gasped.

‘Plenty, my boy. But I’m carrying these around with me merely … as samples, you know. Now then, feel like coming in with me?’ he asked, extending his massive hand across the table.

Mr Golombek sighed.’Mr Vantoch, that kind of money - ’

‘Stop,’ the captain interrupted him. ‘I know you don’t know me - but ask about Captain van Toch in Surabaya, in Batavia, in Padang or anywhere you like. Go and ask, and everybody will tell you: sure, Captain van Toch is as good as his word.’

‘Mr Vantoch, we believe you,’ protested Mr Golombek. ‘It’s just—’

‘Wait,’ the captain commanded.